Alicia64 Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 I'm so glad you're on this board. You an expert voice of reason. Here's my question: we have access to getting the "regular" flu shot starting tomorrow. But I keep hearing from doctors that when they're seeing flu they're seeing the H1N1. Only assumption b/c I know they're not testing. So, my question is: why not only get the H1N1 shot when it becomes available? Or do you recommend getting both? Come to think of it, do you recommend getting the H1N1 shot. I had the flu in the late 90's and have gotten the flu shot ever since. I think a lot of, lot of, lot of people confuse average winter, spring, summer viruses with the flu. They don't realize how awful it is. Ever since that flu -- which I've never forgotten -- I get the shot every October. Thanks for your feedback!! Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted October 2, 2009 Author Share Posted October 2, 2009 our H1N1 isn't available to us for at least 3 more weeks so getting it immediately sounds like the way to go. Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 I'm so glad you're on this board. You an expert voice of reason. Here's my question: we have access to getting the "regular" flu shot starting tomorrow. But I keep hearing from doctors that when they're seeing flu they're seeing the H1N1. Only assumption b/c I know they're not testing. So, my question is: why not only get the H1N1 shot when it becomes available? Or do you recommend getting both? Come to think of it, do you recommend getting the H1N1 shot. I had the flu in the late 90's and have gotten the flu shot ever since. I think a lot of, lot of, lot of people confuse average winter, spring, summer viruses with the flu. They don't realize how awful it is. Ever since that flu -- which I've never forgotten -- I get the shot every October. Thanks for your feedback!! Alley I'm on the fence about the seasonal flu shot, to be perfectly honest. There is very little of it circulating, but it's early in the season and the old strains might come back with a vengeance. Historically, when a pandemic strain emerges, it replaces the previously circulating strains, which then become extinct. The exception to that was in 1977, when an H1N1 showed up, and did NOT replace the previously circulating H3N2. Both H1N1 (human, not swine) and H3N2 have been present since. Prior to that, only one strain circulated at a time, for as long as we have records, so it's reasonable to expect the seasonal strains to die out. But it's just too early to know what's going to happen. One sure benefit of getting the seasonal vaccine is that it will protect from Influenza B (which will continue to circulate), while the new H1N1 vaccine won't. I would recommend it for elderly people, since they are more at risk from the seasonal flu than swine flu, and for other high risk groups. One option would be to wait and see if seasonal influenza rates begin to increase. If they do, there ought to be plenty of vaccine available. If they don't, you probably don't need it. I think this is what we'll do. You can keep your eye on trends here. There is a long post about this at Effect Measure, if you are interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in FL Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Thank you Perry, you are so valued on this board! Melissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Thanks again Perry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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